Airbus aims to ease "COVID Combi" temporary freighter conversions

Airlines continue to convert their passenger planes into temporary cargo carriers, seeking to eke out a bit of extra revenue while travelers are grounded. Just placing cargo on the seats is one option, but increases wear on the seats and limits the size and shape of the boxes carried. Removing the seats helps solve that problem but creates other challenges.

Weight and balance issues for the aircraft overall are very real, as are floor loading concerns in any specific area. They can all be overcome, of course, but the engineering behind that requires approval from regulators. Thus far these “COVID Combi” conversions have been performed ad hoc, with a local regulator certifying the work but unclear reciprocity for those alterations on a global scale. While IATA pushes for ICAO to improve the mutual recognition of such exceptions some companies are taking a different approach, working for more formal certifications of the alterations.

Airbus pursues Service Bulletin modifications for A330, A350

Airbus is the latest to push a formal alteration plan. The aircraft manufacturer announced on Thursday plans to develop a cargo configuration for the A330 and A350 using a Service Bulletin (“SB”) as the certification method. The manufacturer’s SB approach smooths the process, as a company spokesperson explains, “[A]irlines will no longer need to seek approval for local agencies as the solution will already be approved.” The same solution is already EASA approved today, but still requires the airline to apply to its local regulator for clearance to operate with the conversion in place. The SB obviates that last step.

While the Airbus solution uses cargo pallets for securing goods on board it will not turn the main deck into a palletized cargo operation. The doors aren’t large enough for the pallets and there’s no good way for them to move on the floor in the cabin. Instead the pallets will be semi-permanently secured to the seat track on the floor, giving an airline clear indications of where to load the cargo. Boxes are then secured to the pallets and the aircraft can be dispatched with the significantly increased capacity.

Airbus indicates that the design adds 76m3 and 7.3 tonnes to an A330 and 81m3 and 7.8 tonnes to an A350. The pallets are also rated to a 9g acceleration safety standard. The company also highlights that all the components are standard and available today commercially so the deployment time for the solution is very short.

About Seth Miller

Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.

He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.